Monsoon rains in India 18 pct below average in past week
| Reuters

NEW DELHI Monsoon rains in India were 18 percent below average in the week to June 8, the weather office said on Thursday, as the onset of rainfall was delayed by nearly a week from its usual arrival on June 1.

Monsoon rains arrived at India's southern Kerala coast on June 8, easing fears of declining farm and economic growth after two straight droughts hit rural income and agricultural output.

(Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal; Editing by Tommy Wilkes and David Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.

Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.